Lesson Learned From African Time

All my life I had an agenda. I set goals for myself and I made sure I reached them. I set expectations and always needed to know what was ahead of me. Except for that time in the 6th grade when I wanted to be a lawyer, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. As I began to grow in Christ, I realized my passion for teaching is far more than wanting to have high school students learn about social studies. I believe my passion for teaching is rooted in ministry. I want nothing more than to speak Christ's love into the life's of others and inform them of the truth behind the gospel. I want to see the kingdom of heaven come to life on earth in a powerful and radical way. I want to see joy explode in children and help set them up for their destiny with their father. I have no idea when, where, or how that is going to play out in my life. I have no idea what my ministry is going to look like. For the first time in my life I don't have a plan, and God is telling me to be patient. His timing is perfect.

Being in Africa has taught me that it is ok not to have an agenda. There's a phrase here that says, "there's no hurry in Africa." Taken literally, no one and nothing is ever on time here so it's a pretty humorous statement. But when I think about where I am in life, where my passion lies and wondering how it's all going to be possible to achieve my own destiny in Christ, I'm reminded through the African culture that there is no hurry. This semester in Uganda has taught me to enjoy the present. I don't know the answer for my life, but I do know who the answerer is. God has my life mapped out so perfectly. For the first time, I don't know what's going to happen next. I don't even have a summer job lined up, but God is preparing an amazing opportunity for me at home this summer. While I am still agenda minded, I am ok with the unknown, no expectations. I know who I am and I know whose I am, and through that I know God is going to far exceed any dream, goal, or plan I have for my life. I know my final destination and I know my God is ever so faithful. There's no hurry, and I have finally submitted to that. As I continue to pray for patience, I trust in Jesus Christ to lead me down the path that has been set up for me from the creation of the world.


April 5th is my last day of classes. April 17th, I leave for Rwanda and April 30th I fly back home. With just a little over a month's worth of class time left, I realize my time here is very short. I don't want to miss out on a single moment that God has prepared for me. While I am coming to terms with an unknown future, I am also coming to terms with what it means to be fully in the present. This semester has presented me with some of the hardest, most emotionally draining times of my life, but somehow the good Lord has still overpowered those moments with joy. I am so happy to be where I am. I am so humbled and so blessed by this experience. In fact, I wouldn't change a thing, not even the hard times. Through those times, I have drawn closer to the heart of Christ and He has seated me on the shores of grace where the waves are so powerful and so beautiful.

So what does it mean, then, to be in the present? African time and their idea of presence has pushed me to think about this question. To me, being in the present is soaking in my surroundings. It's enjoying the company of those around me, even if my mind is reverting to things outside of my current place. Being in the present is finding Jesus in every person, every object, every gust of wind, every raindrop, every ray of sun or reflection from the moon. It's submitting yourself to uncertainties. It's surrendering previous thoughts and emotions and choosing joy because through Christ, I have the ability to change any atmosphere. Being in the present is a gift. It's scary because if I'm fully in the present, I don't know what is going to happen next. Being in the present is surrendering and trusting in God having hope and faith that He truly does have my life in the palm of His hands. Being in the present is a beautiful thing. It has taught me to let go and to simply live.

 

"This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything." 1John 3:19

I pray that all of you may find joy in the unknown and rest in the presence. God is faithful and God is good and I am blown away and humbled by his grace. Live life as Christ has prepared it for us. It's a beautiful thing.




Seven Second Version
The unknown is scary, but God is in control. The present is here and now and finding peace in the here and now is finding a place of rest in Christ.